6 Months Till Christmas!

Christmas Morning 2011

Guess what?  Christmas is less than 6 months away!  Are you ready?  No, I don't mean gifts!  Rather how you're going to pay for those presents.  When Dave implemented cash based budgeting for our family several years ago, we started setting aside a small amount of cash each month specifically for Christmas.  As simple as the concept sounds, we never considered saving for Christmas prior to reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover!  We always bought gifts on credit and stressed over the bill in January.  But now, our holidays are free of financial stress.  We get to fully enjoy the season with our family and friends without worry.  It's also a comfort knowing that if something were to happen today, like the loss of a job, we've already got Christmas covered (at least for the kids).   Just a small amount set aside each month now, will make a big difference come December!

Make it a GREEN Christmas this year.  Save and pay cash!

Budgeting resources we've found helpful:



The Total Money Makeover:  A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
by Dave Ramsey



The Money Saving Mom's Budget
by Crystal Paine (The Money Saving Mom)

Dig Out of Debt
by Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam




Disclosure

Crockpot Recipe - Chicken Enchilada Soup

Chicken Enchilada Soup

As a working mom and home keeper, it is still important to me to have a warm, healthy, homemade dinner on the table for my family each night.  It can definitely be a challenge with the rush of the evenings after work!  But, my crockpot is an invaluable tool when it comes to meal times.  That's why I was so excited when the ladies of Living On A Dime released their new e-book, Easy Crockpot Recipes and Menus!

This Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe was an absolute winner and a must try!

Chicken Enchilada Soup
from Easy Crockpot Recipes and Menus
by Jill Cooper

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
1-15 oz. can of black beans, drained
1-14 oz. can of diced tomatoes, including juice
1-14 oz. can of chicken broth
1-10 oz. can of enchilada sauce {I made my own using the recipe from Dining On A Dime}
1-4 oz. can of diced green chiles
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. of black pepper {I omitted both}

{These following are listed as optional spices, but I added them all in!}

2 bay leaves
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

{I also added in local, organically grown zucchini and yellow squash (diced) from the farmer's market.  Add 1-2 cups additional broth if adding veggies.}

Place chicken in a slow cooker first and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Cook on low for 6 hours {I cooked this on high for 4 hours}.  Transfer the chicken to a large plate and shred the meat with two forks.  Return the chicken to the slow cook and continue cooking for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

  

To serve, place in a bowl and top with crushed corn chips, tortilla chips, sour cream or cheese.  You could also add a scoop of cooked rice to the bowl first.

You'll find this and other recipes in the new e-book, Easy Crockpot Recipe and Menus.  Today is the last day to pick up a copy of the e-book for 40% off!

Disclosure

My New {Old} Hat! Vintage Straw Hat with Veil

Please excuse the fuzziness of some of the photos.  My photographer is only 9!  This is the vintage blue straw hat with veil I bought a few weeks ago at SuzAnna's Antiques.  I LOVE my "new" vintage hat and can't wait to add more!  Hats, gloves and accessories seem to be an affordable way to add a little vintage to one's wardrobe.

Side view of the hat and veil

The bow on the back of the hat

I love putting on my hat and gloves and going out to do my grocery shopping or running errands with Dave and the children.  I've received a lot of compliments about the hat, particularly from older gentlemen.  Most men enjoy seeing a woman dressed in a feminine manner.  But for the older gentlemen, there seems to be a bit of nostalgia in seeing the hat, gloves and pearls.  A reminder of sweeter days gone by!

Mary Ellen

{NEW!} Easy Crockpot Recipes & Menus E-Book

Do you find that you're often so busy that it's hard to find the time or the energy to cook? Do you end up hitting the fast food places or even more expensive restaurants more than you should? Eating out is one of the biggest causes of personal debt.  But after a busy day, who wants to come home and spend the time to cook dinner?

Living On A Dime's new Easy Crockpot Recipes and Menus e-Book has been prepared especially for busy moms! It's full of easy recipes and menus that can help you save a lot of money and time preparing delicious crockpot meals in minutes so you won't have to wonder what to cook when you get home.

Simply pick one of the pre-made menus, take a couple minutes to toss some ingredients into a slow cooker and know that you're saving a lot on your food spending. Not only that, you won't have to spend the extra time it takes to drag everyone to that fast food place... and you KNOW what a chore that can be when you're tired.

When you check out the new Easy Crockpot Recipes and Menus e-Book today, you can get it for $7.77, 40% off the regular price.  Don't forget - the special 40% off deal is only good until Monday! Make your meal planning easier-- check it out now!

Easy Crockpot Recipes and Menus e-Book

Disclosure

More Berry Pickin' at Vollmer Farm

Over the weekend, we headed back out to Vollmer Farm in Bunn, NC for some more berry picking.  Nothing is better than local, organically grown berries!

The blackberries were ready

And so were the blueberries!

The strawberries were winding down.  But what we did find still on the vine, was SO SWEET!

The fruits of our labor!

On the way back from the farm, we stopped by Sonic.  A departure from our healthy eating, but a special FIRST TIME treat for all of us!  We made it just in time for half price drinks.  Daddy ordered  a round of slushies and limeades for everyone!

From farm to the table - The Pioneer Woman's Grilled Chicken Salad with Feta, Corn & {fresh picked local} Blueberries! 

Mary Ellen

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the World's Best Husband & Daddy!

Love you Honey,

Mary Ellen

Weekend Yard Sale Find - Vintage Fairbanks Scale

Last Saturday morning, Dave and the boys got up early and went out together on a yard sale adventure!  At a local church yard sale, Dave picked up this old Fairbanks doctors scale for $10.   

Despite its age, the sliders still work. 

The Fairbanks stamp on the foot pad.

While at the yard sale, the boys found some treasures of their own!  Clayton & Reed used their allowances to buy these Army helmets for $1 each.  Here's Clay in his camo.

And Reedy in his Captain America costume with helmet!  My cute little soldier boys!

Have A Great Weekend Y'all!

Mary Ellen